By Brandon Aschenbrenner

It was Ho-Chunk Gaming Lucky 21 night and the first regular season event at Golden Sands Speedway for 2016.

All normal divisions were in action. Brian Weinfurter cruised to the win in the Super Stocks, Dalton Zehr took care of business in the Late Models, Karl Genett took the high lane to the win in the Pure Stocks and Jerad De Boer and Scott Ciesielski picked up wins in the 4-cylinder open class.

(Courtesy Blaser Photography)

Leading off the night was the Super Stock Class. Greg Back (6) took fast time in the Raykowski racing entry. In the heat race, Brian Weinfurter (24) made his way easily to victory lane after making so moves forward early. Greg Back was making his way forward until contact coming to the checkered flag with Matt Ciesielski (21) caused him to spin and would end with both cars scored in the back. In the feature, Weinfurter started on the pole after another car couldn’t make it to the start and proceeded to dominate the event leading all 25 laps. Greg Back took 2nd and looked to be the fastest car on the track, but some issues caused his No. 6 machine to stall out of turn 2 every now and again and kept him back in 2nd for the finish. John Zuch (8) held on to finish 3rd, Greg Matthews (8) 4th and Matt Komatz (33) 5th. Weinfurter will lead the points after their first night in 2016.

The Late Models were on track next with 27 cars taking time. Jordan Thiel (2) took fast time honors for his first time. Four heat races would find Wyatt Blashe (78), Jeff Weinfurter (3), Steve Litchfield (32) and Dalton Zehr (7-11) in victory lane. The B-Feature had the top two drivers advance to the A-main, and those would be Frank Nitzke (18) and Wyatt Blashe. The B-Feature featured a long caution however with contact for the lead between Mike Olson (64) and Jeff Weinfurter would cause both to spin in front of the whole field in turn 1 and left now where else for Monte Gress (80) to go except on top of Olson’s hood and into the side and top of Weinfurter’s car. All drivers were physically fine. In the A-main, Natalie Decker (04) took the early lead. Nine laps in, contact between MG Gajewski (22) and Wyatt Brooks (33) would bring out the first yellow flag. After going back to green for 2 laps, another caution would come out when Steve Litchfield spun in turn 4. On the restart, it was still Decker up front, but making his way through the field was Dalton Zehr. Zehr got around Decker and cruised to the victory. Natalie Decker held onto 2nd place, Reagan May (33) remained solidly in 3rd, Eugene Gregorich Jr. (14) made his way up to 4th and Mark Eswein (71) rounded out the top 5. Zehr will take the point lead into night 2.

A spinout led to a caution with 18 laps to go. (Blaser Photography)

In the Pure Stocks, Brock Heinrich (52) took fast time. Two heats would bring Hunter Cramer (66) and Kyle Genett (16X) to victory lane. In the feature Kurtis Wosick (61) grabbed the early lead and tried to put as much room as possible between himself and the field. Karl Genett (16K) however found the high lane and made his way to the front. Caution came out with 18 to go when Louie Merriam (17) spun in turn 4. After going back to racing, Karl was able to work past Wosick and would hang on to the top position for the rest of the night. Travis Volm (76) took 2nd, Wosick ended up 3rd, Dillon Mackesy (93) took 4th and Kyle Genett 5th. Karl is the point leader after night 1.

The open 4-Cylinder open class once again had a great field of cars. Ian Arneson (14) took quick time. Jerad De Boer (2), Jimmer Lietz (93) and John Lietz (92) all snagged heat wins. In the lower feature, things got crazy early. Corey Stephens (3) found himself upside down in the sand to the top of turns 3 and 4 after contact with a few different cars. After a few more laps, Brandon Polansky (287) brought out a yellow out of turn 2. When we got back to green, De Boer was out front and kept it there. Jenna Breitenfeldt (14) tried to run him down, but ended up running out of time. De Boer went on to win his first ever 4-cylinder feature. Breitenfeldt took 2nd for her first time at GSS, Tim Finstad (33) took 3rd, Randy Polansky (7) 4th and Karley Kemnetz (18) 5th, another first time racer. In the Upper Feature, Scott Ciesielski (21) got an early jump and took the lead early. George Seliger (06) and Ian Arneson made their way to the front as well and battled it out to the end for the win. Ciesielski would hold on to pick up the win, Arneson took 2nd, Seliger 3rd, Dale Louze (9) 4th and John Lietz (92) 5th.

The next event at Golden Sands Speedway is Friday, June 24th. There will be a burn out contest and fireworks as well as all of our divisions in action including the return of the cruisers! Gates open at 4:30, Qualifying at 6:30 and Racing at 7:45.